SBC-21's 2009 Goals: Here's More

The goal of SBC-21(Strengthening the Black Church) is to offer The United Methodist Church the gift of a transformational learning model that enables one congregation to share its gift of vitality with other churches that are seeking growth, vitality and transformation and wanting to expand their gifts in mission and ministry and, in the process, to revitalize Black congregations and The United Methodist Church. “

The SBC-21 Mississippi Conference Team had focus on the following items for the past year.

• African-American Pilot Program - six (6) churches moving from part time to full time worship service.
• Established a SBC-21 Coaching Team -10 pastors and one (1) laity were trained by Dr. Douglas W. Ruffle, author of,”The Discovery Church Journey.” They will coach churches on The Discovery Church Journey and help develop Ministry Action Plans (MAP) in response to the A2 survey ( partnership with New Church Development).
• Rev. Tyron Gordon of St Luke UMC, in Dallas, TX provided leadership training for several pastors (partnership with New Church Development).

• Several churches attended the National Training offered by SBC-21 in various locations.

• Cheryl Stevenson, SBC-21 National Coordinator, was one of the Key presenters at the Convocation on The Black Church. A covenant agreement was also initiated between Mississippi SBC-21 and the National SBC-21.

• Four pastors attended, “Embracing God’s Diversity”, conference at Lake Junaluska. Bishop Ward was one of the speakers and Rev. Theodore Williams participated on one of the panels.

Our goals for 2008-2009 are:

• Reduce the “0” churches on apportionments;
• Increase the number of churches with at least one profession of faith;
• Increase the number of districts that host events at African-American churches;
• Increase the utilization of African-American leadership;
• Support and increase the African-American covenant groups;
• Provide leadership training for pastors, laity, youth and young adults;
• Every African-American pastor will have an email address; and
  
• Identify churches which will be a part of, The Discovery Church Journey.